I bet it doesn't sound like a real wolf. I'm sure they got it close, but not at that price point. If you want the real deal, just buy a real wolf on Ebay and stop settling for cheap knockoffs. I'm going to get the schematic and I bet the circuits aren't even the same as a vintage real wolf.

Not even close.a) You don't know how it soundsb) AIRA has a long lead time for being available and it already sounds good.c) It's cheap enough to not really be a definite A or B choice (you can afford both)d) I'm not sure this is anyone's "last or only drum machine"e) It's going to have several limitations and I'm not so sure the modern (younger) generation is willing to fore-go all of those conveniences just because it says analog on the tin.f) And that generation has started with samples so this smaller palette has a limited scope.g) As cool as it *could be, how long and how far before you feel like you've plumed its depths and want something new.

The PROs are mostly that it's AKAI and that it's analog. Some will be sold on those two points no matter how it sounds.AND if the AIRA was indeed analog, there's still be a pause to compare sounds, which is going to happen now anyway.

And when I say as good as, I mean in the totally limited way [insert generic-grouping name for enthusiasts] have determined what an analog drum sound is supposed to be. Which, I feel has limited the options for making new and unique drum sounds.

It could sound new, different and original and still be considered a fail because it doesn't sound like everything else that is already kicking about. That's the core problem with all this looking back.

griffin avid wrote:considered a fail because it doesn't sound like everything else that is already kicking about.

besides a general-purpose DAW

this "looking back" is about solving a problem in the eyes of many, not creating one:

1. 808s are rare and expensive, and not 'general purpose' except in hip-hop or electro, period. that's what customers apparently want, but most can't afford the cost of original article - or simply do not feel it is core enough to their sound to make the necessary sacrifice.

2. Even if everyone COULD afford one, there simply aren't enough 808s to go around because Roland has discontinued them indefinitely.

3. recreating one exactly and having it just arrive on the market won't happen for many many reasons i won't even go into because it's done to death. Now it COULD happen, but circumstances must change before it does happen, or it never will happen. <-this is fundamental

4. so here we are

it's just a micro-niche of a drum-machine (itself a niche industry) called the new Cheepy808-Alikes, and that's that.mfb 522, volca beats, tr-8, rythmwolf etc

if you want innovative hardware drum machine then get the SonicPotionsLXR, or MDuserwave or tempest or one of numerous DIY projects(this is really where it's at) and you can user-define to a much greater degree

i'm just glad the market has more to offer than volca beats in this $range.